The ruins remained illuminated for several moments after Kael's breakthrough.
Golden lines spread across the ancient platform beneath him, pulsing softly like a heartbeat. The surrounding valley, silent for countless years, felt alive once again.
Kael slowly stood.
The change inside him was unmistakable.
The Origin Core had become far more stable after entering Origin Awakening Stage 2. His energy no longer felt rough or newly awakened.
Now—
It flowed naturally.
Like breathing.
⸻
Kael raised his hand slightly.
Golden light gathered instantly around his fingertips.
Smooth.
Effortless.
Even his perception had changed.
The entire valley felt clearer now.
Sharper.
He could sense traces of lingering energy hidden throughout the ruins—tiny remnants left behind by ancient Origin users long ago.
Then—
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
Someone was watching him.
⸻
He turned calmly toward the cliffs above.
Wind moved softly through the valley.
And standing atop the stone ridge—
Was a woman dressed in pale silver robes.
Her long dark hair swayed gently behind her while faint blue energy surrounded her body like flowing mist.
Calm.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
Kael immediately understood one thing.
She was strong.
Far stronger than the Void followers.
Possibly even stronger than the cloaked Void cultivator from Black Ridge.
⸻
The woman stepped forward calmly.
Then—
Without sound—
Appeared at the bottom of the valley.
No explosion.
No dramatic movement.
Just absolute control.
Kael's eyes sharpened slightly.
Another high-level cultivator.
⸻
The woman studied him quietly.
More specifically—
The golden energy surrounding him.
Her gaze eventually stopped on the ring.
"…The Ring of the First Pulse."
Kael remained calm.
"You recognize it."
The woman nodded once.
"Yes."
Her voice was soft but clear.
"It belonged to one of the ancient Origin Keepers."
Kael's expression shifted slightly.
This was the second powerful cultivator who recognized Origin immediately.
Which meant—
The ancient conflict was far from forgotten.
⸻
Silence lingered briefly before she spoke again.
"You awakened this ruin."
Kael nodded slightly.
"It reacted to me."
The woman's eyes narrowed faintly.
"…Of course it did."
She slowly walked across the ancient platform, her fingers brushing lightly against the faded symbols.
"These ruins once belonged to the Dawn Sanctuary."
Kael listened carefully.
"One of the last remaining strongholds of the Origin Bearers before the Void Wars ended."
Her gaze became distant briefly.
"Most were destroyed."
Kael looked around the ruined valley silently.
Even damaged beyond recognition—
The place still carried an ancient presence.
A stubborn refusal to disappear completely.
⸻
The woman turned back toward him.
"What is your name?"
"Kael."
"…Kael."
She repeated it quietly before nodding once.
"I am Lyra."
Kael studied her silently.
Unlike the others he had met so far—
She didn't seem hostile.
But she also wasn't relaxed.
Her eyes remained cautious.
Measured.
⸻
Lyra suddenly asked,
"Have you encountered Void already?"
Kael answered honestly.
"Yes."
Her expression hardened immediately.
"How many?"
"A fragment."
Silence.
Then—
For the first time—
Actual shock appeared in her eyes.
"…A Void Fragment awakened?"
Kael nodded.
"And Void followers are already tracking me."
Lyra looked toward the northern sky quietly.
The atmosphere around her grew heavier.
"…Then events are progressing faster than expected."
Kael frowned slightly.
"What does that mean?"
Lyra remained silent briefly before answering.
"For centuries, Void remained dormant."
"Hidden."
"Waiting."
Her gaze returned to him.
"But if an Origin Bearer has awakened…"
"…the balance has changed."
⸻
Kael understood immediately.
His existence alone—
Was affecting the world already.
⸻
Lyra walked toward the edge of the platform.
"The northern region is no longer safe for someone like you."
Kael almost laughed slightly at that.
"Nowhere seems safe."
A faint smile appeared on Lyra's face.
"…Fair point."
Then her expression became serious again.
"You need guidance."
Kael stayed silent.
Because she wasn't wrong.
Everything happening now had already surpassed basic cultivation.
Void.
Origin.
Ancient wars.
Hidden forces.
He was walking blindly through something enormous.
⸻
Lyra looked at him carefully.
Then finally said,
"Come with me."
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Where?"
"To the North."
Her blue aura flickered faintly around her.
"There are still people who remember the old conflict."
"And if Void has truly begun moving again…"
"…then you need to understand what you are becoming."
⸻
The wind moved through the ruins once more.
Kael looked around the ancient valley silently.
Then at the glowing platform beneath him.
Finally—
He nodded.
"Alright."
⸻
Far away—
Deep within the underground Void chamber—
Several cloaked figures knelt before the black throne.
The air trembled with dark energy.
A tall figure stepped forward slowly.
His violet eyes glowed beneath the darkness of his hood.
"The Origin Bearer has evolved."
Silence followed.
Then—
A voice echoed from the empty throne itself.
Ancient.
Cold.
Hungry.
"…Bring him to us."
The chamber shook violently.
And across the shadows of the world—
Void began moving in earnest.